J-K witnesses peaceful Republic Day celebrations

SRINAGAR — All the Republic Day functions passed off peacefully and there was no untoward incident reported from anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.

An unnamed senior police officer, quoted by the news agency KNO, said that elaborate security arrangements were in place across the UT, especially in the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. “A multi-layer security cover was in place to ensure the smooth passage of all Republic Day functions and we succeeded in that…,” the officer said.

In Jammu, a main function was held in Moulana Azad Stadium Jammu where LG unfurled the tricolour while in Srinagar, the main event was organized in the highly fortified S K Stadium where LG’s Advisor RR Bhatnagar took salute of the parade and unfurled the national flag. In Srinagar, a cultural program was also organized in which school children also participated.

A huge deployment of security forces including police and CRPF was made on highways, roads and streets in Srinagar and Jammu to keep a close watch on the suspects. “The day passed off peacefully and there was no untoward incident reported from any part of the UT,” the police officer said.

For the first time, shops were seen open in Lal Chowk and Residency Road areas of the city centre in Srinagar. Reports said that shops were open in the southern districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian.

Reports said that Republic Day functions held in Kashmir districts including Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag passed off peacefully.

‘J&K witnessing new dawn of development, peace’

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new dawn of development from the last three years.

Addressing a gathering on the eve of Republic Day at SK Stadium here, Advisor Bhatnagar highlighted the works and developmental projects carried out by the LG-led administration. He said that in the last three years, J&K is witnessing a new dawn from the last three years in terms of development, peace and progress.

He said that the incumbent administration is giving priority to the health sector and many initiatives have been taken to ensure better healthcare for the people. “In this regard, the government has come up with two AIIMS Institutes in J&K at the cost of Rs 4000 crore. The AIIMS in Kashmir to be completed by 2025 while 15 medical colleges and other related institutions have also come up in the UT,” he said.

He added that in the field of medical education, 2100 seats have been increased.

Several schemes have been launched to benefit the farmers in the Union Territory, he said, adding that under the different schemes, the farmers are being assisted. He said 33000 farmers have provided Rs 56 crore under one of the schemes.

The development has taken pace and in the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, J&K has been ranked 3rd from 21st rank this year. The road length for macadamization has been increased from 2200 kilometers to 3500 kilometers while a record 8000 kilometers will be macadamized this year.

Several other initiatives have been taken up by the government, he said, adding that the international flights have started while Kashmir will be connected with Kanyakumari through rail by next year.